Akihiro Blanco has two high-profile projects coming out in September

When Akihiro Blanco was first introduced as a contestant on TV5’s talent reality competition series “Artista Academy”, his media profile revealed him to be a school heartthrob who had already had six girlfriends since he was 14 years old.

So it probably comes as no surprise to see him being cast as Sharon Cuneta’s son who also happens to be a babe magnet on the Megastar’s upcoming “tawaserye”, “Madam Chairman”.

“Hindi ko pa alam kung sino ang official na love interest ko pero chick boy ako dito. Ako ‘yung pasaway na anak ni Ms. Sharon na maraming babae,” Aki told InterAksyon during the recent story conference that also officially launched the series.

Set to air this coming September, “Madam Chairman” is only one of two major projects that will showcase the talents of the 18-year old Japanese-Filipino actor and he feels blessed to be part of a major series wiith a start-studded cast and headlined by Ate Shawie herself.

The other one is Ato Bautista’s independent feature “Mga Alaala ng Tag-Ulan”. A May-December love story that Aki will headline with outspoken singer-actress Mocha Uson, ”, the film is an entry in the coming CineFilipino film festival set to finally open this September 17.

“Iba rin ang indie sa TV. Unang shooting day pa lang namin, excited na ako,” he exclaimed.

He added the film also brought him closer to co-star Mocha who plays the mysterious older woman that his character falls in love with after his family moves to a new neighborhood. Hitting it off right away upon their first meeting made their working relationship a lot easier.

“First day pa lang ng shooting, naging close na agad kami ni Mocha. Mabait siya. Madalas kaming mag-kwentuhan bago mag-take so nakilala na rin namin ang isa’t isa so that made us comfortable with each other,” he recalled.

Aki credits veteran actor Mon Confiado, who happens to be a friend of his mother, for suggesting and pushing for him to be the lead in the film. Recalling his experience in “Mga Alaala ng Tag-ulan”, he said he’s happy to be directed by Bautista. The latter was reportedly impressed enough by Akihiro’s performance that he hopes to cast him again in another project, possibly an action film.

Originally compared to Robin Padilla during the course of the “Artista Academy” competition, Aki was initially showcased in Istorifik’s “Robin Dude” where he played the title role of the masked superhero that battled evil forces. The mini-series was so successful during its initial run last April that “Robin Dude” returned on the air in a sequel that aired during the entire month of July.

In addition to “Istorifik”, Aki is also a regular cast member of the weekend daytime gag show “Lokomoko U” and will soon reunite with love team mate and “Robin Dude” co-star Chanel Morales in the horror series “Spirit Games”, also on TV5.

So what does Chanel have to say about his being a “chick boy” in “Madam Chairman” and his upcoming onscreen romance with Mocha in “Mga Alaala ng Tag-Ulan”?

“Siguro nagseselos din, hindi joke lang,” he said, laughing. “Okay naman kami ni Chanel at pareho kaming masaya sa pagtanggap ng tao sa love team namin. We’re both comfortable working with each other.”

source: interaksyon.com

Sophie Albert, Vin Abrenica charm Pinoy fans in Dubai

Fresh from their win as “Artista Academy” Best Actress and Best Actor Sophie Albert and Vin Abrenica flew to Dubai to entertain Filipino fans last December 1 during the annual Bayanihan Festival held at the famed Zabeel Park, one of the largest and most modern outdoor parks in Dubai.

TV5 International and its partner Orbit Showtime Network (OSN) were among this year’s sponsors of the annual Filipino get-together.

The young couple—now known as SoVin to their fans—were thrilled to be part of this exciting event. It was their first international trip together since their big win. “Sobrang excited po talaga [kasi] makikita na namin yung mga Kapatid natin sa Dubai,” Sophie revealed. “Tapos siyempre first time po namin magkakasama ni Vin together.”

Sophie and Vin weren’t the only artists present during the event. Dingdong Avanzado, Jessa Zaragoza, and Jon Santos were also there to entertain our kababayans. The Kapatid stars and their guests braved the rare Dubai rain to entertain the Pinoys at the event.

Dingdong serenaded the audience with an a capella version of his hit song “Basta’t Kasama Kita,” while wife Jessa sang her ever-famous “Bakit Pa”. Veteran comedian Jon Santos provided the laughs with his hilarious stand-up comedy routine.

That same evening, another show was held at the Boracay Club of Asiana Hotel. Vin performed “Hinahanap Hanap Kita” with the hotel band and Sophie got everyone dancing with her rousing performance of Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance.” The “Artista Academy” couple shared the stage as they joined the crowd in dancing “Oppa Gangnam Style”.




During their downtime, Vin and Sophie had the chance to go around Dubai and visit iconic landmarks like the Burj Al Arab and the tallest building in the world, Burj Khalifa. It was indeed a memorable trip not only for Sophie and Vin but also for the Filipinos who shared their time with them.

TV5’s international channels Kapatid TV5 and Aksyon TV International are available in the Middle East and Europe via OSN.

source: interaksyon.com

Shaira and Mark now the pair to beat on ‘Artista Academy’

With only six “Artista Academy” scholars comprising its Honors List, the competition in the country’s biggest and most intensive talent search takes a new twist as the show’s 9th live exam last Saturday focused on the importance of love teams.

“The love team is one of the most effective entry points in show business,” declared TV5 Talent Center head Direk Mac Alejandre as he and “AA” Principal Wilma Galvante explained how the grading system works at this stage of the contest.

“It’s all about chemistry. Kailangan pakiligin nyo kami ngayong gabi,” Galvante added. “From now on, it is neither about individual performance nor team effort. Our live exam is about love team effort. The grade of one is the grade of the other.”

With that the three pairs of Vin Abrenica and Sophie Albert (a.k.a. Sovin), Akihiro Blanco and Chanel Morales (a.k.a. Akinel) and Shaira Mae and Mark Neumann (a.k.a. Shark) proceeded to impress the critics with their respective showcases of chemistry.

Stumbling out of the gate, Vin and Sophie was chastised by Direk Mac for their shaky choreography and failure to memorize the lyrics of their duet, “I’ve Had The Time of My Life” from the movie “Dirty Dancing.”

“Sayang, you look so good together,” Alejandre lamented. “Ang kilig ay lumalabas lamang kung tama ang dialogue at sumusunod kayo sa blocking. Next time, kung mabibigyan kayo ng pagkakataon, make sure memoryado nyo na ang linya nyo.”

Gelli added that although the pair reminded her of Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes, she acknowledged that it was Vin who carried the loveteam even as she, LT and Principal Wilma added that Sophie looked really good in her outfit.

“Bagay kayong dalawa,” LT conceded.

“Hindi naman kayo bumitaw sa concept na kayong dalawa ay nag-iibigan,” Galvante observed.









Next up was Akinel. Inspired by the opening scene of “Grease,” their portion proved tricky because only talked about each other to their friends and would not meet eye to eye until the last part of their duet, “Summer Nights.”

“Kahit sa bandang huli na lang nagtama ang mga mata nyo, the payoff is worth it,” Direk Mac enthused.

“Nagkaroon kayo ng spark nung ending,” added LT.

For her part, Gelli took Akihiro to task for not memorizing the lyrics to their song while Galvante thought it was Chanel who carried the pair. “Chanel can really work up a crowd,” she pointed out.

Finally, it was Shaira and Mark’s turn to wow everyone and notwithstanding being handicapped with an awful medley of “Umbrella” and “Singing In The Rain” that could have been disastrous, their performance delivered kilig factor to the max.

“The music worked against you but you made it work. Nilunod ng kaguwapuhan ni Mark at kagandahan ni Shaira ang kanta nyo,” Direk Mac exclaimed.

Gelli went a little further and compared them to Kim Chiu and Gerald Anderson while host Cesar Montano went as far as comparing them to Nora Aunor and Tirso Cruz III and Lorna Tolentino and the late Rudy Fernandez.

LT reserved her best compliment to her favorite “cutie pie”, Mark. “Pati pagta-Tagalog mo, naiintindihan ko na sinasabi mo. Napalaki ng improvement n’yo at higit sa lahat kumakanta na kayo, ibig sabihin yung ginawa niyo tumalon dito sa amin at naramdamin naming ang kilig.”

And even as Principal Wilma expressed some reservations and told them that they still need to work on their emotional kilig, it was a successful “Shark” attack for Shaira and Mark who went on to win the Most Kilig Couple award of the night.

With their outstanding showing, it looks like Shaira and Mark have elevated their status from dark house contenders to emerging frontrunners as Vin, Sophie, Akihiro and Chanel need to reclaim some of their lost glory.

Will Shaira Mae and Mark continue their winning streak or will the former leaders bounce back and slay the “Shark” as the competition towards the P20 million grand prize for the best actor and best actress winds down to an exciting finale?

The only way to find out is to tune in to “Artista Academy” as it airs on TV5 every Monday to Friday at 9PM and every Saturdays at 9:30PM.

source: interaksyon.com

Mark, Shaira grab last 2 slots in ‘Artista Academy’ Final Six

Mark Neumann and Shaira Mae won the last two slots in the Final Six after quite possibly the most explosive and competitive Live Exams on “Artista Academy” on Saturday as the grand finals of TV5′s reality talent search draws near.

Mark and Shaira joined the four top scholars who had earned their slots in the honors list last weekend – Akihiro Blanco, Vin Abrenica, Chanel Morales and Sophie Albert – after a night of competition where every member of the Danger Four and the Tropang Kick-Out stepped up their game to the delight of the critics composed of “AA” Principal Wilma Galvante, director Mac Alejandro, Lorna Tolentino, and Gelli de Belen.

The TV5 studio at Broadway Centrum roared like thunder when fans of the students shared in the merriment as they cheered their idols till the announcement of the night’s two winners in the end.

The live exam started with a dance number prepared by Mark, Shaira Mae, Nicole Estrada, Chris Leonardo, and Malak SSo Shidfat. All five impressed the critics’ panel but Mark and Shaira Mae were pronounced as the standouts.

Next came the singing showcase featuring Brent Mazano, Marvelous Alejo, Benjo Leoncio, Stephanie Rowe and Jon Orlando as they took turns performing songs by Martin Nievera, Sharon Cuneta, Ogie Alcasid, Zia Quizon and Ric Segreto, respectively.

Direk Mac Alejandre was very proud of the improvements he witnessed with each one’s performance.

“You were able to put the discipline you learned into practice. Brent gave such control and was so in full control of the song. Benjo gave a fantastic performance,” he said.

Pleasantly surprised too were Gelli and Ms. LT.

“Kasi,” Gelli elucidated, “this is not always about trying your best. Kaya gulat ako sa limang ito. This time, alam na nila kung kelan nila ibibigay ang dapat at kung ano ang kailangan. Sakto lang. Brent showed that.”

Added Ms. LT, “Ramdam ko ‘yung galing na nagmumula sa kalooban. Paborito ko ‘yung song na ‘Bakit Ngayon Ka Lang’. Nawala na ‘yung punto (accent) at may kambyo na ang kanta ni Benjo.”

Ma’am Wilma mock-complained, “Nahihirapan na ako! Pero nakakatuwa. Ina-apply ninyo ang itinuturo sa inyo. Ginagamit niyo. And for this exam, congratulations to Jon and Marvelous.”

The final test was the acting challenge where all 10 remaining contenders took part under the tutelage of PETA acting coach Upeng Fernandez. Here, they were divided into three groups with each group tasked to convey a specific emotion.

Nicole, Jon and Mark took turns interpreting sadness; Shaira, Marvelous and Chris, fear; and Malak, Stephanie, Brent and Benjo, anger. Once again, the critics were pleased with all the performances.

Direk Mac extolled Brent and Nicole for their portrayals: ”Very mature, very deep, very intelligently acted.” Gelli praised everyone for knowing to calibrate their emotions and exhibiting a sense of timing. Both she and LT declined to identify who they thought were the best performers.

Principal Wilma said she bought into Nicole’s sadness, Chris’ fear, and Malak’s anger.

The total scores were tallied from the scholars’ performances in the Live Exams as well as their grades in their ongoing workshops at the Asia Academy of Television Arts, and their fans’ text votes throughout the past week.

“Artista Academy” airs weeknights at 9PM and on Saturdays at 9:30PM on TV5.

source: interaksyon.com